Edina City Council — Transcript
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Salvation Army Facility Rezoning and Site Plan
Zoning Ordinance Amendment for Second-Hand Stores Size Limitation
Interpretation of Office Residential (OR) Comprehensive Plan Land Use
Votes (2)
Zoning Ordinance Amendment to allow greater than 2,500 sq ft second-hand stores in PCD 2 and 3
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Smith [0:46:13] · Seconded by Commissioner Hanneman [0:46:27]
Commissioners debated the scope of the proposed zoning ordinance amendment, specifically whether to remove the 2,500 sq ft size limitation for second-hand stores across all Planned Commercial Districts (PCD 1, 2, and 3) or only in the more intensive districts. The consensus was to limit the amendment to PCD 2 and 3 to maintain the character of smaller neighborhood commercial nodes (PCD 1). The discussion also touched upon defining 'second-hand stores' and ensuring pawn shops remain prohibited.
Preliminary Rezoning and Site Plan for Salvation Army facility at 4200 76th Street West
Dissent: Commissioner Day, Chair Elkair
Moved by Commissioner Smith [0:47:50] · Seconded by Commissioner Felt [0:48:02]
The public hearing focused on the specific application by Salvation Army, proposing to remodel a vacant industrial building into a retail and warehouse facility. Discussions covered operational details (indoor drop-off, waste management, truck traffic), site plan changes (landscaping), and compliance with code. Significant concerns were raised about the precedent of rezoning an industrial parcel to commercial, potential future occupants if Salvation Army leaves, and the reinterpretation of the comprehensive plan's 'secondary use' definition for Office Residential areas. The adaptive reuse and community benefits of the Salvation Army were also highlighted.
Notable Quotes (8)
So the request here requires a zoning ordinance amendment to allow second-hand stores that exceed 2,500 square feet in size in the planned commercial district. So currently we allow a second-hand store, but they're limited to just 2,500 square feet in size.
I think for us as we think about it, the limiter for the city is this is um second-hand stores still excluding pawn pawn shops. So it's almost like a limiter on what frankly this is a free free into. The change is just referring to second-hand stores. That's how we see it as an occupant.
I feel like some of the discussion is we've maybe uh insinuated that we're purposely limiting the size of second hand stores, but that size limit exists for many other uses in the PCD1, right? So, it's not uh nobody's picking on second hand stores.
At its core our request is just about adapting an underutilized and currently vacant industrial building to better serve present-day community needs. And second to that, it's a donation-based operation that's diverting usable goods from landfills with 100% of proceeds supporting the Salvation Army's nonprofit mission.
I've used uh not Salvation Army, but I think that location in in St. Louis Park um right next to Lifetime. Uh forgot the name of it right now. It's blanking on me. Goodwill. Sorry. Yes. Thank you. Goodwill. And sometimes the queuing uh during the week is is is crazy, right? Um you want to get to the gym, but that queue wraps all the way around the building. And once you get into that space, you cannot get out. You have to stay there until you get through the uh the uh goodwill.
If we approve this rezone to PCD-2, I wonder if other developers or other owners of some mature buildings in this area that are currently zoned PID might say, 'Hey, PCD is an option. I didn't realize that.' Seems like that could be the case.
I guess I would um uh respectfully disagree that that second-hand stores are the same as regular retail. I think there's a reason they're called out in our code. So, I think the fact that it is the Salvation Army and that it is a second-hand store and that as part of that business model is a mechanical right servicing of taking product from the community and doing more with it. Um Target doesn't do that. They get and then they sell.
I love the adaptive reuse part of this. I would um I find the ability to support uh Salvation Army's work attractive in this project. I'm all for vintage in Edina. I think the $2,500 square foot limitation removing that in PCD 1, 2, and 3 is an easy yes for me. I'm very concerned about the rezone from uh PID to PCD.
Ordinances & Resolutions (13)
Request to modify rules for second-hand stores in planned commercial districts.
Specific requests for the Salvation Army property at 4200 76th Street West.
Form for public commenters to provide address information.
The overarching set of zoning regulations for the city.
A preliminary review of the Salvation Army project conducted in January.
The city's guiding land use document, specifically its Office Residential category.
Document provided to commissioners detailing project analysis and alternatives.
A framework from the League of Minnesota Cities illustrating the city's discretion level for different requests.
Traffic and parking analysis conducted by Stantec and Associates for the proposed facility.
Proposed landscaping changes to meet city requirements.
Ongoing project mentioned in relation to clarifying secondary uses in the comprehensive plan.
An unrelated item previously recommended by the Planning Commission, awaiting City Council action.
An unrelated item previously recommended by the Planning Commission, awaiting City Council action.